Safe Kids at Play

 

Bicycles are associated with more childhood injuries than any other consumer product except the automobile. More than 70 percent of all children ages 5 to 14 ride bikes. Safe Kids Upstate educates children and families about bicycle safety in three ways. Interactive bike rodeos teach children how to ride a bike responsibly. When participating in a rodeo, children ride through an obstacle course while learning: rules of safety; proper bike maintenance; and how to wear a helmet properly. Participants receive a bike license upon  course completion.
Safe Kids Upstate also offers high quality bike helmets through Bell Sports. At the reduced rate of $8.00, families can purchase helmets that otherwise would cost around $40.  If you are an agency or individual interested in purchasing bike helmets at this reduced rate, click here to fill out a Bike Helmet Application.
Educational presentations complete the bike safety program. Using interactive, tactile exhibits, Safe Kids Upstate staff present bike safety messages in a variety of settings from classrooms to street festivals.
For more information or to order helmets please call 864-454-1187.
Water Safety
Drowning is the second largest cause of accidental injuries to children.  Safe Kids Upstate partners with the American Red Cross and Kiwanis to offer free swimming classes to 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders in the Greenville County Schools.  The classes are held the first two weeks of summer each year and are open to children who do not know how to swim.   
 
ATV Safety

 

Safe Kids Upstate has worked with Foothills Motorsports and the Greenville County Division of Disabilities and Special Needs (DDSN) to create an ATV Safety Campaign.  As a result of back-to-back grants from DDSN, we have created an ATV Safety Public Service Announcement, an informative ATV Safety Poster, and ATV hangtags.  We have worked with dealers, such as Foothills Motorsports, to display the Safety Hangtags on ATVs in their showrooms.  The hangtags offer general ATV safety tips and encourage all consumers to purchase ATV Safety equipment (helmets with face protection, non-skid boots, gloves, etc.) when purchasing an ATV.  Safe Kids Upstate also works with a parent advocate, Terese Calhoun, who speaks to local groups about ATV Safety.
 
Railroad Safety
Safe Kids Upstate, in partnership with Operation Lifesaver, has certified Railroad Safety Instructors on staff.  We are able to make presentations to schools in Greenville, Pickens and Oconee counties to educate children about the dangers present along railways.  Our goal is to reduce crashes, injuries and fatalities on and around railroad rights-of-way and highway-rail grade crossings involving motorists and pedestrians.
 
Playground Safety
In addition to working with the Safety Patrols, staff members from Safe Kids Upstate often visit schools and community areas to evaluate the safety of their playground areas.  Staff members make recommendations and help create safer areas.